Derek McInnes claimed Aberdeen were getting closer to the Hoops and they held the champions to a goalless draw at Parkhead just days before their Ibrox glory night.

The fixture will see ex-Celt McGinn trying to end old gaffer Neil Lennon’s bid to lead the club to an incredible treble Treble after taking over from Brendan Rodgers.

And the 31-year-old winger said: “We want to go a step further – we’ve got another opportunity to get to a final and there’s no bigger task than beating Celtic.

“Being at a big club like Aberdeen, you enjoy getting to semi-finals and finals. Anything can happen in finals and we had chances to win the game against Celtic in the Betfred Cup final.

“We’ll worry about that when it comes around but we’re not far away. We’ll have to defend well and take our chances when they come around.

We’ll put that on the back-burner and look forward to Saturday, on the back of a great performance on Tuesday.”

Niall McGinn turns away to celebrate after giving Aberdeen the lead at Ibrox (Image: SNS Group)

McGinn capitalised on slack play from Glen Kamara to send a cool finish beyond Allan McGregor for the opening goal on Tuesday night.

It gave the Dons something to defend and McLennan netted a second after Steven Gerrard’s side had thrown everything at the visitors.

McGinn was part of the Aberdeen side who won at Ibrox two years ago in what was their first victory at the Govan ground since 1991.

And he believes they no longer fear trips to Glasgow having won at Parkhead at the end of last season - the only team to manage it domestically under Brendan Rodgers - and beaten Gers in the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden.

McInnes admitted his team had been written off after Gerrard’s Light Blues held them to a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie in the first game to earn a replay.

And McGinn said: “Even in the last few years, that fear factor hasn’t been there. We’ve finished above Rangers in the league and on the road this season, we’re unbeaten in eight games.